Otherwise known as Winter Solstice. Today is the longest day of the year, and from here on out it will gradually be getting lighter again. Well, until Summer Solstice which announces the return of heading into the dark. It is a big deal!
The 17th of May is Norway's Independence Day from Sweden. We celebrated with many parades and festivities yesterday. It was busy but a good time was had by all. The weather is always a lottery here so it was a plus that the sun was shining.
We met Reidar's oldest sister in town for the 7am morning procession. Yes, that meant getting up way too early to get all of us dressed and out of the house. But it really was lovely. Above is my oldest daughter (in the pearls) and my oldest niece. Emilie is wearing a bunad, which is a traditional dress. Ainsley will receive one next year when she is confirmed. I'm already working on the stitchery!
After the morning parade, we headed back to where we lived to participate in the school parade. It was a long walk from the church to the school but Zoey did great. Here she is with her bestest friend. We have a bunad from when Ainsley was little so hopefully it will fit Zoey next year.
Here are the children all lined up. Each class tried to outdo each other with their Hurras and singing.
This is the Retzius grandchildren. The kids always have fun when they get together.
This day is by far Zoey's favorite day. She gets to walk in parades, wave flags, toot her horn, dress up, and eat all the ice cream she wants. She was sad when the day was over. It might actually top her birthday!
It is coming along! Reidar and I have been working hard with getting the house painted. It will be so nice to just move in and not have to worry about the outside. From the road, the house looks like it is almost done...but it is only a shell. There aren't any walls inside at all! The carpenters should start working on that next week. Then I'll be able to get inside with the camera.
The first coat of paint went on very easy. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to see the white paint covering the bare wood. The second coat is a bit trickier. Everything is white already so it is hard to tell where you have been! I would have to count boards and lay markers on the ground to let me know where I was last. I'm glad that part is over! I learned that I'm a pretty neat painter. My clothes and hands stay clean....I can't really say that about the other person involved in this project. ;)
I took this pic from the front yard. While we were working, we heard all these bells ringing. My youngest son is standing at the fence watching the sheep that were out to graze. Yet another reminder that we live in the country! I love it! Right now, the fields are alive with frolicking lambs...it makes me smile!
I wasn't quite sure what I was doing...this picture didn't go where I wanted it to go! Regardless, this is an image that Reidar shot. It is just down the road from where we live....beautiful!
